Cover photo for Gay Lynn Fortner's Obituary
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1941 Gay 2023

Gay Lynn Fortner

October 20, 1941 — August 4, 2023

Gay Lynn Fortner, 81, passed away on August 04, 2023 after battling with Alzheimer’s and Dementia at her home in Freeport under hospice care, surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren who have been her loving care takers for many years prior to her passing.


Gay was born on October 20, 1941 in Freeport, IL to daughter of Emerson and Bernadine (Swanson) Hofmeister. She attended Dakota High School where she was a member of the band, cheerleader, baton twirler, and prom queen. She graduated high school in 1959. Gay attended Highland Community College for Early Childhood Education. She had various occupations throughout her lifetime to name a few; she was a secretary at Dakota High School until she adopted her daughter, Teri in 1969 then later went back to work at Prince of Peace as a Preschool Teachers Aide, Customer Service Representative at Thermos and lastly a Secretary at NICAA Head Start until her retirement in 2014.


Gay enjoyed baking cookies which anyone who knew her knows about her frosted cookies. She would sew Teri’s outfits when she was younger and liked making holiday dinners. Gay played on a softball team, bowling leagues and a member of a card club. Spent most Tuesday and Friday evenings out for dinner with her ladies group and also cherished her monthly graduating class get-togethers. Gay is a breast cancer survivor of 35 plus years and would participate in the Relay for Life Walks for many years raising cancer awareness. She always supported Teri in all her endeavors and cherished attending events her grandchildren participated in. Gay enjoyed the little things in life and loved making lasting memories with her family where they would smile, laugh and joke. One of Gay’s favorite things to do was to take long walks outdoors with her grandchildren who were the light of her life. She was known for her big heart and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her. Please think of Gay anytime you wear her favorite color blue, denim, having a slice of pizza, or your McDonald's ice cream cone upside down in a cup.


Gay is survived by her daughter, Teri Fortner; three grandchildren, Corena Engel, Cole ( Harli Reser) Engel and Collin Fortner; one newborn great grandson, Clyde Engel.


She was preceded in death by her parents.


Family Services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery and Mausoleum in Freeport.


Please share memories you have of Gay with her family at www.burketubbs.com along with online condolences.


In lieu of flowers a memorial has been establish in her memory.


Funeral arrangements were trusted to Burke Tubbs Funeral Home - Freeport, 504 N. Walnut St. Freeport, IL 61032, (815) 233-0613

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gay Lynn Fortner, please visit our flower store.

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